Junior college XC transfer making smooth transition to USU
For many junior college transfers, the transition to the Division I level can be a tough one.
Not so for Utah State University cross country runner Lida Clapier, who transferred to USU after helping to lead Ricks College to the junior college national championship last fall.
Just a sophomore, Clapier transferred to Utah State along with fellow Ricks College teammates Audrey Golighty and Emily Prestwich. Having three good friends to adjust with has made the move to USU an easy one, she said.
“I think it’s been a great adjustment,” she said. “Audrey wanted to go to BYU, and she went down there and decided she didn’t want to be there. So, she came here and I was really excited because we’re all really good friends, and we train well together.”
This was not the only reason Clapier decided to transfer to Utah State, however. She said she considered running for the University of Utah, but the USU cross country team had the coaches and athletes who provided a good team environment.
“For me, running is something I love and enjoy,” she said. “It’s also about the memories, and is more than just winning a race. You’re going to forget the races you win, but you’re going to remember the friendships.”
In addition to being recruited by USU and Utah, Clapier also said she was recruited by Southern Utah University, the University of Alabama and BYU. While said she it was an honor to be recruited by the Cougars – National Champions three of the past five seasons – she didn’t want to continually worry about fighting for a spot on the team.
“I wanted to go somewhere where I could actually be on the team, and feel a part of the team, instead of just trying to fight for a position,” she said.
Clapier certainly doesn’t have to worry about losing her spot on the team at USU. The Salt Lake City native has been the Aggies’ top finisher in their past two meets, including a fourth-place finish at the UC Riverside Invitational – a meet the Aggie women won.
The best thing about Clapier’s early season success is she is far from reaching her potential, teammate Melanie Marek said.
“She has a lot of potential, and I think she’s hardly tapped into that yet,” she said. “If she just keeps focused, and keeps her attitude the way it is, she can go far with her [college] career.”
While Clapier has two big goals she would like to accomplish before her college career is over, she said she just tries to focus on improving each meet. With USU’s top five runners usually finishing a race within 30 seconds of each other, Clapier said she hopes the team members will continue to push and encourage each other.
“You can’t do things or your own,” she said. “I mean you can, but it’s not as fun. Like [men’s runner] Mitch [Zundel] said, he doesn’t want to go to nationals by himself again.”
When Clapier mentions nationals, she means it. She said she thinks the team is more than capable to making it to nationals. Helping the team qualify for nationals and win a Big West Conference championship is something Clapier said is feasible this season.
As far as long-term goals are concerned, Clapier has her mind set on becoming an All-American. To do this, she would have to finish in the top 25 at nationals.
“I have dreams that I can be an All-American,” she said. “That’s my dream and I’m not going to shut it down. It’s going to take a lot of work, but I’m willing to do it.”
However, if she doesn’t reach that level, she said it wouldn’t diminish her love for the sport. As long as she can look back and “smile and say I worked hard and I had great experiences.”
It is this positive disposition Marek said Clapier brings to the team.
“She’s got a really positive attitude, and she brings a lot of charisma to the team,” she said.
Then again, Clapier said she credits her family for her ability to maintain a positive attitude. She said her family has always been supportive of her, despite not knowing much about the sport, and has always encouraged her to follow her own dreams.
“I think I just come from a hard-working family,” she said. “I think my parents instilled [in me] the value of work, and faith and confidence. They were very supportive, they were at every meet, did everything they could to be there, and that’s one of the main things that helped me be successful.”
-jasonwturner@cc.usu.edu